World Malaria Day

  The World malaria report 2025 highlights positive trends in the scale-up of effective prevention tools, including expansion of new-generation nets, the malaria vaccine and SMC, as well as the introduction of PMC. There has also been notable progress in providing timely diagnosis and treatment for young children. However, coverage of ITNs and intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) continues to lag, underscoring areas needing further action. ■ Data show a positive shift towards timely and effective malaria care in the vulnerable population of children aged under 5 years. Across 21 sub-Saharan African countries, the proportion of febrile children who were taken to a health service provider and received a diagnosis increased from a median of 30% in baseline studies (2005–2011) to 47% in more recent surveys (2017–2024). Of the children who reached a health service provider and received an antimalarial drug, a median of 68% were treated with an ACT in the peri...

  The year 2024 was marked by significant biological, systemic and financial challenges. Antimalarial drug resistance and P. falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 and 3 (pfhrp2/3) gene deletions continued to compromise the effectiveness of case management, while widespread insecticide resistance reduced the impact of vector control tools. Anopheles stephensi further expanded its range and is now reported in nine African countries, heightening urban malaria risks. Beyond biological threats, climate change, conflict and humanitarian crises continue to drive malaria resurgence and disrupt essential services. ■ Globally in 2024, total investments in malaria control reached an estimated US$ 3.9 billion. Based on the 2025 GTS target of $9.3B, this corresponds to a projected shortfall of about $5.4B, with only 42% of required funding attained.  ■ Between 2010 and 2024, about 67% of malaria funding came from international sources, while endemic countries supplied 33%. In 2024, about 56%...

  This year’s report highlights several notable successes and encouraging trends – even amid serious challenges. Since 2000, 2.3 billion malaria cases and 14 million malaria deaths have been averted worldwide. There has been continued movement towards global elimination goals, with 47 countries and one territory now officially certified as malaria free by the World Health Organization (WHO). In 2024, progress in low-burden settings was sustained, with 37 countries reporting fewer than 1000 cases. Core effective interventions, such as the use of piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and dual active ingredient insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs), rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), seasonal and perennial malaria chemoprevention (SMC and PMC) and the malaria vaccine, were also expanded. Despite these gains, malaria remains a serious global health challenge, with an estimated 282 million cases and 610 000 deaths worldwide in 2024 – a slight increase compared with 2023. The WHO African Region contin...